Vacuum Fresh!

Vacuum Fresh!
Originally uploaded by klycolllins.

I picked up a FoodSaver at Costco a couple of weeks ago. I'd been looking at them every time I went to Costco for several months, but I couldn't really justify buying one. Fortunately, Rachelle was just as intrigued by the idea, so we eventually broke down and got one. Seeing as we were already at Costco, we took the opportunity to pick up a 10 pound family-pack of hamburger. The first weekend was taken up with forming said 10 pounds of hamburger into various meal-type shapes and vacuum packing them for future generations. After we ran out of meat-products to seal, we moved on to sealing dry goods in Mason jars (using the optional Mason jar attachment). Rock on. At this point, two weeks in, I seem to have run out of things to seal. Fortunately, there is an entire chapter in the FoodSaver DVD dedicated to sealing "non-food items". Since I get home from work a good hour before Rachelle, I have plenty of "me time" to come up with "ideas". I'm emptying my pockets out on the counter and I see the FoodSaver just sitting there. I start thinking, "Hey, why not vacuum seal the contents of my pockets". Why not?

• Wallet
• Listerine Breath Strips
• Keys
• $2.87 in change ($7 pesos?)
• Swiss Army knife

In hindsight, it might have been better NOT to have sealed the Swiss Army knife. Would have been a hell of a lot easier to get everything out.

OK, moving on to a different topic, I was really friggin' hungry 'round about lunch time today (something about getting to the office in time for a 7:00am conference call) and decided to Google the pizza place down the street for a menu. Google didn't find a menu, but it did find a review for the place on a web page called "Pizza Magazine Quarterly". Good God, how do you get a job at a place like that? It's like being editor-in-chief at "Big Boobs, Free Beer & Sports Monthly". Man, I gotta get out of this Medicare gig.

Sacramento RT

Sacramento RT
Originally uploaded by klycolllins.

Rachelle and I took light-rail downtown for lunch yesterday. We almost made it all the way there before a crazy dude started yelling about government agents, genocide, war crimes, etc. We weren't completely sure he was crazy, but the woman sitting a few rows from us explained that when people "tell such big whoppers it's a sign of mental illness". Glad she was there to clarify that. I was starting to get worried. If anybody's looking for a free mental health evaluation, you might want to consider taking the Gold Line to downtown Sacramento. Start asking people if they think you're crazy. Lots of entertainment for your $1.75.

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland
Originally uploaded by klycolllins.

Rachelle and I were both in Salt Lake City helping my dad and Sheila move last weekend. As you can see by the snow and Rachelle's happy look, we're not moving to a cold-weather locale in the near future. That said, we both really enjoyed our weekend in the cold. Salt Lake is kind of a weird place. There is a definite religious vibe to the place (OK, more than just a "vibe"), but there are also some really good restaurants and bars. Some strange rules at some of the bars, but still good. One thing I learned about SLC that I really liked was how the streets are laid out. Everything starts at the temple and works its way out. It's like a graph in high-school geometry. The temple is 0/0. Everything else is X number of blocks E, W, N or S. Makes it friggin' impossible to get lost. Almost. They do toss in the rare named street just to make things interesting. Bastards. Other than that, I would have to say that it is a very civilized way to grid out a city. Seems to be kind of wasted on a city where more than half of the population doesn't drink, i.e., people who can EASILY find their way home at night. Vegas needs to be set up like this. You'd have a bunch of strip-clubs and casinos with names like "NUDES, NUDES, NUDES at 300 West, 1200 South". A lot easier on the cabbies with the midnight to 8:00am shift. Just a suggestion for the future city-planners out there.

Salt Lake Livin'

Salt Lake Livin'
Originally uploaded by klycolllins.

This is the goldfish that came with my room at the Hotel Monaco. I think I'll call him "Sparky". I don't get to take him home, though. I could, but he costs $15 and can't go on the regional jet back to Sacramento. Spent the past couple of days getting my dad moved into his temporary digs. A couple of Costco trips for the important stuff (flat-panel TV, cleaning supplies, etc.) and we found the nearest State-run liquor store. The only kind in Utah. Closed on Sunday, holidays and election day. I think I'll be staying in Cali. SLC is pretty, though. Beautiful mountains, great biking and hiking, friendly people everywhere. OK, friendly people can get old after a while, but I think Dad and Sheila will like it here. Enough for tonight. Rachelle and I hit one of the local brew pubs and I'm getting sleepy. And Sparky needs to go for a walk.

I Love L.A. (area)!

I Love L.A. (area)!
Originally uploaded by klycolllins.

Biggie Breakfast at the Carrow's in Pomona. On historic Route 66. I don't feel so good.

Progress

Progress
Originally uploaded by klycolllins.

I don't seem to have as much energy to post updates of the home improvements when I'm actually doing the work myself. I wasn't nearly as tired every night last year when we had the kitchen/bathroom done. It seems that I may not be in "good" shape. Anyway, ran out of light again last night so I didn't quite finish. Hope to get the cutting done today and finish at least the flooring tonight. The baseboards and transitions may take a while. As long as we're not living on a bare concrete slab anymore.

New Project: Take 2

New Project: Take 2
Originally uploaded by klycolllins.

OK, I'm too tired and in too much pain to go into great detail about how much both Home Depot and Lowe's suck, but I'll make sure to get to that in the very near future. Long story short(ish), Rachelle and I had to deal with living on a bare concrete slab for several days because the crap they sell at H.D. is exactly that: crap. Last week's flooring has gone back and I picked up a new batch of Bambo bamboo at Carpet's Direct in Orangevale. It had to "acclimate" for a couple days so I wasn't able to start the installation until today, but I've got to say I'm happy so far. Almost half done and I still have all 10 fingers (God, I love my new table saw). And I'm still married. Very little swearing with the new stuff. I'll send more pictures when it's done, as well as post my several-part rants about H.D. and Lowes. Got plenty there.